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01/08/12
One bird was singing
Filed under: General, Birding & Outdoors, Florida & SE US, Birding "Patches"
Posted by: Ken @ 6:25 am

After being nearly home-bound for a couple of weeks, I finally got out on our local patch. Mary Lou and I took a slower “power walk” in the predawn darkness while our company were still sleeping. Afterwards I felt good enough to venture out on the gravel road that leads into the wetlands near our home. As I passed the entrance gate of our subdivision, the sun was already peeking out above the horizon.

MonacoCoveSunrise 20111229

It was too late to look for the Bobcat family. The last couple of times I only caught sight of one cat, much further down the trail than before. The cubs seemed too young to have gone off by themselves, so I plan to resume my watch as soon as I get over this bug. This morning I did walk along the trail on the levee. At a somewhat slower pace, I paid particular attention to the silence that greeted me. Usually there is at least one mockingbird or cardinal brightening the morning with song, but the only avian sounds I heard were the calls of a few Blue Jays and the raucous squawking of Boat-tailed Grackles on the roofs of the homes across the canal.

Suddenly the silence was broken by the jubilant “Tea-Kettle-Tea-Kettle-Tea-Kettle!” of a Carolina Wren. It is amazing how such a loud noise can come from such a small bird. It is also very difficult to localize the creator of the song, as the bird always sounds nearer than it actually is. It also loves to sing from a secluded perch. Since I did not feel particularly energetic, I decided to just wait for the little bird to show himself. I knew it to be a male. Females also sing, but a softer trill, usually in a duet with a male and especially in the spring.

One trick I have learned is to look for the pulsating white throat of the wren as it sings in the dark seclusion of the low to mid canopy. This did not work, but the songster persisted and so did I, and finally I caught sight of movement in the bushes, quite a bit further away than I expected. I followed the small bird in my camera’s viewfinder and got several poor exposures, most partially obscured, or marred by the movement of its head and lower bill.

Carolina Wren 20111229

Carolina Wren 4-20111229

Only after taking a couple of dozen photos did I realize that I had forgotten to use my Christmas present– the monopod from Scott, our neighbor and hiking companion! It was the perfect accessory to improve the quality of my images of small birds, my favorite subjects. So often they are seen only from a distance, and their photos require heavy cropping. Quickly, I fastened the monopod to the camera and got ready for some great results. However, while I was fumbling, the wren decided to end its concert and depart (though I cannot vouch for the latter, as it may have simply melted into the same bush). In any event, it was gone forever.

Now I sorely needed to take some test shots to check out the monopod, so I clicked at subjects rather randomly and squinted at the LCD display to see if they appeared sharper than usual. A Northern Mockingbird, perched nicely against the sky on some ripe Brazilian Pepper berries, was a willing subject.

Northern Mockingbird 20120101

The mockingbird flew to another perch, striking a different pose in subdued light.  

Northern Mockingbird 2-20120101
    
In the meantime, a Palm Warbler appeared atop the pepper tree, against a background of distant foliage.

Palm Warbler 20120101

To my surprise, a small flycatcher came out of nowhere and alighted right in front of me. Its call sounded like the “Whit” of a Willow Flycatcher.

 Empid 2-20120101

It was obviously an Empidonax species, but which member of this genus? Its wings were quite short, as the primary tips barely extended to the roots of its tail feathers.

Empid 3-20120101

Willow Flycatchers are a bit unusual here during winter, and strongly resemble Alder Flycatchers, the other member of the “Traill’s” complex. Many such Empids are silent, and are simply called “Traill’s” Flycatchers, though Alder Flycatchers are said to be much more prevalent. In any event, this bird had a short bill and quite a prominent eye ring. These features , along with the short wings, strongly suggest that is was a Least Flycatcher.

Empid 20120101

Indeed, when I got home and researched their vocalizations, the Least Flycatcher is said to give a sharper “Wit!” call than the “Whit” of a Willow, a rather fine distinction. Up in Illinois, I often encountered Least Flycatchers singing “Che-Bek,” but this was the first time I had ever heard the “Wit” call. For comparison, here is a photo of a Willow Flycatcher I took last year in Illinois. Note the more substantial bill and subdued eye rings. To my eye, the Willow and Alder Flycatchers also look more robust, more closely resembling wood-pewees without crests. This one confirmed its identity by singing “Fitz-beeyou.”

Willow Flycatcher 20100706

Willow Flycatchers also have unusually broad bills. I am quite certain of the identity of this one that I photographed here in Florida this past October, as its “Whit” call was distinct, and it had a faint eye ring and did not exhibit the crest of an Eastern Wood-Pewee.

 Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) 20111006

Loggerhead Shrikes have been rather uncommon in the wetlands, though I have seen a few in the residential area near our home. I took a practice shot of this one.

Loggerhead Shrike 20120101

After a short walk but extended standing on the levee trail, I stretched my legs and walked back to the gravel road, advancing towards the large lake. Trema trees are a great source of food for wildlife, as their fruit is produced throughout winter. However, only a few trees have ripe berries at any given time. I found one such tree, and at first only saw Palm Warblers, mockingbirds and this Gray Catbird.

Gray Catbird 20120101

My eye then caught movement of a bird that looked too big to be a warbler. Indeed, it was a Blue-headed Vireo.

Blue-headed Vireo 20120101

Suddenly, I realized that a Common Ground-Dove was also staring down at me.

Common Ground-Dove 3-20120101

The little dove almost blended in with the branches, and I waited for it to move into the open for this shot.

Common Ground-Dove 2-20120101

An Eastern Phoebe then joined the others on the tree. It pecked at one of the berries and ate something, perhaps an insect. It probably would have been unusual for it to eat a berry, though I have seen other flycatchers (kingbirds) eat fruit.

 Eastern Phoebe 20120101

At the lake, I watched as a pale Little Blue Heron captured and ate some creature in the high grass– a lizard? It then stepped over to a rock, where it appeared to be trying to disgorge its catch, shaking its head back and forth with its mouth open.

Little Blue Heron 20120101

Nothing ever came out of its mouth, but before finally settling down it repeatedly scratched at its upper throat as if attempting to push something out towards its bill.

Little Blue Heron 2-20120101

A Gulf Fritillary, its image steadied by my new monopod, provided some nice views.

Gulf Fritillary 2-20111229

Gulf Fritillary 20111229

On my way back home, I passed the Trema tree and saw a second Common Ground-Dove roosting nearby in open sunlight. They seem always to travel in pairs.

Common Ground-Dove 20120101

As a bit of a sad “footnote,” I again saw this one-legged Wood Stork, which I first photographed four weeks ago. I don’t know how it is surviving with only one leg. It is their habit to stand on one foot and stir the water with the other, thus frightening fish  into their open jaws. Hopefully it will stop somewhere nearby (my backyard, please!) so its ambulation and foraging method might be observed.

Wood Stork with one leg 2-20111127

Click here for a searchable index of earlier ROSYFINCH RAMBLINGS posts

14 Responses to “One bird was singing”

  1. holdingmoments Says:
    January 10th, 2012 at 11:00 am I love seeing the birds you capture Ken. The shrike is a beauty.
  2. heyBJK Says:
    January 10th, 2012 at 11:13 am Fantastic lighting in your photos, Ken! Very nice job!
  3. Boom & Gary Says:
    January 10th, 2012 at 2:35 pm Great series!! Boom & gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
  4. Andrew Says:
    January 10th, 2012 at 2:38 pm You really do have some wonderful wildlife and your images a beautiful to see.
  5. Mick Says:
    January 10th, 2012 at 3:00 pm Great photos - as usual! The little wren is beautiful! My monopod is a “mixed blessing”! It certainly steadies my hands but I can’t move the camera fast enough to catch the birds that fly off.
  6. Modesto Viegas Says:
    January 10th, 2012 at 4:01 pm Very good series!!!
  7. eileen Says:
    January 10th, 2012 at 4:59 pm Wow, fantastic birds and photos. Your monopod sounds interesting.I love the Shrike shot, they are great birds to see. Have a great evening, happy birding!
  8. springman Says:
    January 10th, 2012 at 6:13 pm Brilliant stuff Ken. No one plays that bright Florida sunshine as well as you do. I think your practice with the mono-pod is a great idea. We’ll really see the payoff when you get those early morning bobcat chances. As a option I like to throw the remote shutter release into my pocket and use that to trigger the camera rather than laying on my hand. Anything to get better stability. Hope your feeling better!
  9. Ken Says:
    January 10th, 2012 at 9:19 pm Thanks everyone, for your kind comments. Walking around with the monopod extended and sticking out behind me reminds me of the first time I drove a big RV– the tail swing is a problem. Mary Lou does not dare walk behind me!

    @Mick– I agree. With the monopod attached it is very difficult to follow a bird in flight. I also have to relearn how to point the camera at the subject, something that was so easy to do without the added weight and pendulum effect of the monopod. I seem to always point a bit above the target.

    @Springman– The morning sun is ideal for my favorite birding sites. The shadows are not as deep as later in the day, but the birds seem to like peering out from behind the leaves. I have gotten away from using my flash, and I must admit that I have had to discard some nice captures for lack of a fill flash. In New Mexico I often found that Steller’s Jays lurking above in the Ponderosas liked to put me in their shadow, the better to see me and the better to ruin my view of them. Here in Florida, Blue Jays seem to do this deliberately at times. Now working to get rid of my annual post-Christmas bug and feeling better.

    Best wishes,

    Ken
  10. Liz Says:
    January 11th, 2012 at 5:10 am What a wonderful series of bird shots!! They are all great captures.
  11. joo Says:
    January 11th, 2012 at 7:59 am Lovely collection!
  12. Nancy Says:
    January 12th, 2012 at 3:40 pm I could really see the difference in the focus and detail, though I never saw anything wrong with your previous images. Hope the use of the monopad doesn’t spoil your enjoyment. Loved the last Gulf Fritillary shot and the Little Blue Heron shots!
  13. Aria Says:
    January 15th, 2012 at 2:11 am Another great set of photos Ken. Your catbird is very similar in appearance to our butcherbird. How about leaving a comment on my blog rather than replying by email?
  14. Ken Says:
    January 15th, 2012 at 8:06 am Thanks, all! @Nancy– I’m getting the hang of using the monopod. It does take practice and there are some drawbacks. It seems best to keep it retracted and mounted on the camera ready to be deployed. Less cumbersome to use it on flight shots that way. @ Aria– Good suggestion. I usually hit the comment links and lurk in their websites and then try to answer comments individually by e-mail. Rather inefficient approach! Think I’ll change my strategy.

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